Hornets hammer Wildcats on Senior Night, defense sparks 38–7 win

Bryant 38, North Little Rock 7

BRYANT — Bryant closed out Senior Night with a complete, three‑phase performance, rolling past North Little Rock 38–7. The Hornets seized control early when WR Keenan Latin took a forward shovel from QB Jeremiah Motes for a 3‑yard score. Moments later, LB Jakore Smith jumped a third‑and‑long throw and raced 34 yards for a pick‑six to make it 14–0. K Grayson King drilled a 23‑yard field goal, and RB TJ Hodges powered in from the 1 just before halftime for a 24–0 lead.

Bryant kept the foot down after the break. Motes dropped a 49‑yard strike to WR Kamauri Austin, then, after King pounced on a loose kickoff, QB Kyler Shelby hit Hodges on a 42‑yard catch‑and‑run. The offensive line paved lanes all night for RB Kollin Robinson, whose 60‑yard burst set up points in the second quarter.

North Little Rock showed resolve. RB Christian Reeves churned out tough yardage, RB Jeremiah Buckner and RB Ezekulun “Zeke” Lewis moved chains, and DE Justin Mitchell and DB Carlos Zamora produced key stops to slow Bryant’s ground game. QB Robert Jackson directed the Wildcats’ best drive of the night, capped by Reeves’ short touchdown in the fourth.

Bryant’s defense, keyed by DE Matthew Nelson and DT Malachi McDonald, repeatedly won early downs and forced hurried throws. Special teams added impact with King’s field goal and the fumble recovery that swung momentum in the third quarter. The victory keeps Bryant unbeaten in 7A Central and sets up a marquee road finale next week.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter — Bryant: Keenan Latin 3‑yd pass from Jeremiah Motes (King kick), 7–0.
2nd Quarter — Bryant: Jakore Smith 34‑yd interception return (King kick), 14–0; Bryant: Grayson King 23‑yd FG, 17–0; Bryant: TJ Hodges 1‑yd run (King kick), 24–0.
3rd Quarter — Bryant: Kamauri Austin 49‑yd pass from Jeremiah Motes (kick good), 31–0; Bryant: TJ Hodges 42‑yd pass from Kyler Shelby (King kick), 38–0.
4th Quarter — North Little Rock: Christian Reeves 2‑yd run (kick good), 38–7.

Players Who Stood Out

• TJ Hodges, RB — 2 TD (1 rush, 1 reception).

• Jeremiah Motes, QB — 2 TD passes.

• Kamauri Austin, WR — 49‑yd TD catch.

• Jakore Smith, LB — 34‑yd pick‑six; fumble recovery.

• Grayson King, K — 23‑yd FG; fumble recovery on kickoff.